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hey all,
so as above I have some models (metal infinity) that I'd like to strip the paint from- but not effect the glue at all.

I've seen plenty of threads discussing various household products & specialty solvents that seem to only do the trick for stripping everything, which doesn't really help me as I don't want to reassemble 20+ models before painting.

Any help is very much appreciated!

It'll depend on what kind of glue you've used to assemble your pieces.

Solvent type glues will not come off even if you strip them - it does however, make the joined areas slightly more brittle for you to pull them apart.
CA glues don't come off per se, but the compound becomes very brittle even in plastic-safe paint stripper. Generally, plastic friendly solvents are weaker compound.

TLR

It's not the stripper that matters but what kind of glue you've used.

 skchsan wrote:
It'll depend on what kind of glue you've used to assemble your pieces.

Solvent type glues will not come off even if you strip them - it does however, make the joined areas slightly more brittle for you to pull them apart.
CA glues don't come off per se, but the compound becomes very brittle even in plastic-safe paint stripper. Generally, plastic friendly solvents are weaker compound.

TLR

It's not the stripper that matters but what kind of glue you've used.

Cheers- that makes sense.
I used the regular cheap super glue (which would be solvent based for sure) & was going to use the acetone method, so i guess the glue should be ok- but perhaps a little weaker?

Acetone is generally not recommened. It will melt the plastic. Typical super glues are CA glues (zap-a-gap, kra gle, locktite, etc). Solvent types you are looking at products like plastiweld.

Look up dettol, simple green, purple power at your locale store.

Edit - forgot you were stripping metal.

Acetone will defiantly weaken superglue joints. Joints that aren't as exposed will decay less, but anything with sufficient external surface area will simply fall apart.

To be honest, you're probably better off stripping the whole thing down, you'll get a cleaner, stronger result on the rebuild/paint.

There are very few solvents that will strip paint and not affect superglue. Acetone is only to be used on metal models as it will begin to melt styrene on contact.

Your best bet is probably Castrol Superclean. You MIGHT be ok with the glue joints. In my experience though, any stripping method I use weakens or kills superglue bonds.